Kittens Found Huddled in a Shed, Their Coloring Changes Completely as They Grow

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A homeowner from Virginia was surprised to find a litter of kittens when she opened the shed door.

The kitties were all wearing an unusual colored coat.

Debbie @fosterkittys

They were found huddled in a corner of a hay shed behind a residential property. The homeowner brought them to a shelter where staff noticed their unique coloring called "fever coat."

Fever coat occurs in kittens when a pregnant cat is ill with a high fever or is under severe stress during pregnancy. This causes the kitten's fur pigments to turn silver gray.

The four kittens looked healthy - an indication that they had been nursing and being cared for by a cat mom. Animal control officers returned to the property and set up a humane trap, hoping to reunite the cat mom with her kittens.

Within a day, they got her.

Debbie @fosterkittys

The mom appeared to be very feral and have some upper respiratory issues. Debbie, an experienced foster volunteer, offered to help them.

"The coloring on their ears, tail and feet are darker because temperature on these extremities is cooler. Their fur will eventually turn to a solid black or charcoal gray," Debbie said.

"This is my first fever coat litter in 14 years of fostering. There are two males and two females."

Debbie @fosterkittys

The feline family had a rough first night as the mama cat was not used to being indoors.

A few days later, she calmed down a bit and settled into the kitten den. "I think she has succumbed to her fate of resting in a warm space and being taken care of by a human," Debbie added.

Debbie @fosterkittys

The kitties decided to come out of their den to explore after one of them made her first steps. They looked almost identical at the time, but over the next several weeks, their coloring would change completely.